Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Our joy is in the Lord who blesses us.
Shout for joy, for the Lord is near! Our praises ascend to God for the mighty things he has done.
Let your praises dance and swirl in tribute to God! Come, Loving God, who even in the midst of troubles and stress,

fills our hearts with Joy. Hallelujah! Praise be to God.

*Hymn #262 Rejoice, the Lord Is King

Around the Advent Wreath (Responsive) The Wood Family

LEADER: Today, the third Sunday in Advent, we celebrate Joy. Mary praised with joy our mighty God, who entrusted her with a sacred role. Great things God has done!

PEOPLE: The world will never be the same again.

LEADER: The powerful will be toppled from their thrones. The hungry will be lifted up and fed good things.

PEOPLE: Every time a child is born, the world changes for someone. Our lives also changed when a surprised young woman carried the One who became our Savior. On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of joy.

(The candle of Joy is lit.)

LEADER: Let’s pray together.

All: Living God, fill us with Mary’s trust and readiness to accept your purpose. With great rejoicing we say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”x

Allowing God to Shape Us

Call to Confession

In this season of Advent, we are awed by the love God has shown in his miraculous act of becoming one of us in order to save us from sin and death. This is the God to whom we pray, to whom we make our confession - the One who offers us not condemnation, but the joy of his salvation.

Prayer of Confession (Responsive) Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Mighty and powerful God, your word says, “Rejoice always.” But we would rather sulk about the things that don’t go right. Your word says, “Pray without ceasing.” But we go for days without even thinking about You. Your word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” But our thankfulness is fleeting, because we think we deserve blessings. Your word says “Hold fast to what is good,” while we hold fast to sinful ways of thinking and acting.

[Moment of Silent Confession]

Forgive us for not responding to you in ways befitting those who call themselves children of God and disciples of Christ.

Renew within us the joy and gladness of righteous living. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon (Responsive) Based on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

The prophets of old have declared, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God. For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robes of righteousness. Friends, believe the good news: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Hallelujah! Thanks be to God. Amen.

Coming before God’s Open Word

Children’s Sermon and Prayer of Blessing

Gracious God, fill these children with all the goodness of your presence in their lives: love, joy, peace, patience, righteousness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Teach them to use these blessings in ministry to others. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture James 5:1-11 (p. 856)

Message "Waiting Is Preparing."

Prayer of Thanks

Celebrating God

Offering/Offertory I’ve Discovered the Way of Gladness – I’ve Discovered the Way of Joy

*Doxology #809 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise him all creatures here below.

Blessed Father, out of your giving you have taught us a deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationship with you: All our resources belong to you. Command their use as shall please you, and give each of us the experience of the giver’s joy. In the name of your unspeakable Gift we pray. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer

*Hymn of Hope #135 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

*Benediction, Blessing, and Response Hymn My Friends May You Grow in Grace

My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen. (2x)

Postlude I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart

The active membership of Kinderhook Reformed Church has elected the following officers to the 2017 Consistory:

Elders: Merrill Johnson, Dawn Van Buren

Deacons: Jane Deane, Noreen Dick, Beth Anne Rippel

Donations for poinsettias to decorate our pulpit area are now being accepted and are greatly appreciated.

There is mail for Amy Deweerd and Sug Hawver in the Church Family Mailbox, upper left corner box above the copy machine in the church office.

Celebrate the Season

~NOTE OF THANKS~

A heartfelt thank-you to all who worked so diligently to make KRC’s annual Candlelight Night Open House such a success this past Friday. Praise God that so many of our immediate neighbors and nearby community members visited KRC to enjoy the beauty of our sanctuary, the special Christmas music, and the fellowship and refreshments in the Fellowship Room.

Please take a moment during this Christmas season to enjoy the beauty and meaning of the white and gold ornaments on our Chrismon Tree on the sanctuary platform. The term "Chrismon" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "monogram," and means "symbols of Christ. "The ornaments, all emblems of our Christian faith and heritage, were hand-made by KRC family and friends several years ago for annual display on the tree. You are invited to pick up one of the informative handouts about the Chrismon tree tradition from the back table.

CAPITAL CITY RESCUE MISSION MEN’S AND WOMEN’S GIFTS

ARE DUE IN THE CHURCH COLLECTION BOXES TODAY!

ANGEL TREE GIFT PROGRAM~

The Angel Tree Program, founded by ex-convict, Mary Kay Beard, has been part of Prison Fellowship's work for 35 years. This ministry has served millions of children and brought the love of Christ, as well as reconciliation, to countless homes during the Christmas season.

GIFT NEEDS FOR ANGEL TREE’S CHILDREN OF PRISONERS ARE NOW DISPLAYED ON ANGEL CUT-OUTS ON A CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CHURCH’S MAIN ENTRANCE. Each angel contains very specific age, size, and gift-request information for a particular child to assist donors as they gift-shop. Please consider taking an angel from the tree today. Your generosity will bring Christmas joy to those Christ blessed and of whom he said, “The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” DUE DATE FOR YOUR GIFTS TO BE IN THE CHURCH IS NEXTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 18.

Volunteers will also be needed to participate in the delivery of the gifts to local Angel Tree families. Please see Sara Hartman at church, or call 828-6368 or 917-538-6576, if you would be willing to participate in the gift-delivery ministry.

~COMMUNITY FAMILY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION THIS COMING SATURDAY ~

Kinderhook Reformed Church is sponsoring a Community Family Christmas Celebration at the church from 4 to 5 PM THIS COMING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17. The celebration will include carol-singing, story-telling, and cookies-and-cocoa refreshments. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Valatie Ecumenical Food Pantry Please bring a food pantry item to donate

Directed by David Smith, Lessons and Carols is a worship service celebrating the birth of Jesus, and will be presented at 4 p.m. Sunday, December 18, at KRC.AChristmas gift to our community from the KRC family, Lessons and Carols is open to all. The story of the fall of humanity, the promise of the Messiah, and the birth of Jesus are told in nine short Bible readings from Genesis, the prophetic books, and the Gospels, along with choir music and the singing of Christmas carols and hymns.The first Lessons and Carols was held on Christmas Eve, 1918, at King's College, Cambridge, England, and has been broadcast from there by the BBC to millions of listeners around the world each Christmas Eve since 1931. The order of worship was adapted from an order prepared 38 years earlier by Edward White Benson, Bishop of Truro. Tradition says that the bishop organized a 10 pm service in Cornwall on Christmas Eve, 1880, in a temporary wooden shed serving as his cathedral.

~BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE, 7 P.M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22~

Join us for a Community Christmas Service of grieving, praying, and healing.

~7 P.M. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE~

As always, KRC’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship is a highlight of the season of giving and a special time to express our joy, praise, and gratitude for the Gift of Jesus, Light of the World, from God the Father.

~ CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE 2016-2017 SEASON CONTINUES IN FEBRUARY ~

On February 12thCITV returns to The School/Jack Shainman Gallery with 20th Century Music for Strings and Women’s Voices, including works by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Saint-Saëns, Poulenc and Foote. The women of the Broad Street Chorale will perform, along with soprano Amanda Boyd, soloist in Britten’s LesIlluminations. On April 2nd at Kinderhook Reformed Church Masterpieces from the Classical Age will feature Mozart’s magnificent Mass in c minor, as well as Haydn’s virtuosic Sinfonia Concertante for which the soloists will be principals of the Broad Street Orchestra: violinist Elizabeth Silver, cellist Erica Pickhardt, oboist Karen Hosmer, and bassoonist Cornelia McGiver.

REMEMBER TO THANK & PRAISE GOD FOR

Pastor Rudy Visser, our Spirit-filled minister and leader of vision, and for the Christ-centered messages God gives to Pastor each and every Sunday for the spiritual nourishment and growth of our church family.

the inspirational ministries of our guest preachers, Perry Jones, Tom McCrossan, John Bowen, and others who lead worship at KRC from time to time.

those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, and those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.

His provision for all of our basic life needs, and the wonderful ways God shows His love to us, especially during difficult times.

the many dedicated and hard-working friends and members of the Kinderhook Reformed Church Family who serve on Consistory, ministries, and committees; teach Sunday School; lead Youth Group, Bible studies, and prayer group; organize special events; prepare food, serve, and clean up for coffee hours, receptions, and dinners; and who always offer whatever support they can to those in need.

Regular updates are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists. Please forward this information, as well as new requests, to krc@fairpoint.net or call 859-4158.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS OUR MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES

Dave and Char Alexander, RCA missionaries, Taiwan;

Alight Pregnancy Center, Hudson

Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Albany

Compassion International, KRC-Sponsored Children:

Evelin Chuquinia, 15, Bolivia Giulbert Muguna, 18, Kenya

Alex and Fran Knauss, Trans-World Radio

Maureen Menard, Youth with a Mission

Dick and Carolyn Otterness, RCA missionaries, Hungary

Brian and Bea Post, Wycliffe Bible Translators

Seth and Melissa Rogati, missionaries, Young Life Ministry, St. Thomas

Betty Ann Stedwell, Christar International Mission

REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR

those who do not know Christ or who are struggling in their faith journey. Pray also that God will provide opportunities for us to witness for Jesus, and give us the courage and winsome words needed to make the most of these opportunities.

Rev. Paige Convis, KRC’s associate pastor, as she fulfills her ministerial duties as full-time pastor to the Muitzeskill and Stuyvesant Reformed Churches.

our state, national, and world leaders, especially President-elect Donald Trump, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.

our military men & women, their families, and friends, that they may know God’s presence, protection, and peace, especially Jason Lansing serving in South Korea.

those facing challenges, stressful circumstances, and difficult decisions: Jaheim, Angel Tree child, in need of appropriate school placement; Family in need of housing in the ICC School District by the end of this month; Cydney Rippel, Carly Rippel, Greg Clause Jr., and others as they face the challenges of a higher level of education or seek a career; Vince Beaudoin; the alarming epidemic of heroin addicts.

those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill: Nancy Stewart; Rick Scalera.

The roofing subcontractor completed replacement of the ridge caps, the rehabilitated weathervane was placed on the top of the tower, and the lightning rod subcontractor installed the lightning rod system. WORK IS ESSENTIALLY DONE, WITH ONLY FINAL CLEANUP AND RESTORATION REMAINING!

We are seeking helpers interested in visiting Whittier Rehab Center, Route 66, Ghent, on Monday afternoons to do a Bible study. Tana Thompson and Sally Heimroth are currently going, and they would like a few more people to volunteer to help out so that someone can go every week. If anyone is interested, please contact Tana, 495-3621.

EMAIL, WEBSITE, AND FAX INFORMATION

Email Address – krc@fairpoint.net

Website Address – kinderhookreformedchurch.com

Rev. Rudy is available at his church office

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings.

Please call ahead for an appointment.

Evenings are set aside for meetings, visitations, and counseling.

For immediate assistance at any time, call 859-4158.

Church Phone 758-6401 Church Fax 758-6402

KRC STAFF

KRC Office ManagerKRC Office Assistant

Paul Clause – 859-4158 Courtney Wood – 784-2134

KRC SextonKRC Cemetery Supervisor

Greg Clause Jr – 653-2786 Greg Clause – 369-8472

COMING EVENTS

Today, December 11Deadline for CCRM Men’s and Women’s gift donations.

8:30 am Early Worship Service

9:45 am Bible-based study continues

“I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

10:00 am Worship Service and Children’s Sunday School

11:15 am Adult Sunday School - main floor Conference Room

Mon, December 12

6:30 pm Consistory meets

Tues, December 13

7:00 pm KRC Youth Group meets @KRC

Thur, December 15

9:00 am Small Group continuing Bible-based study @KRC

“I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”

10:00 am Community Prayer Group @KRC

7:00 pm Bible study group meets, @KRC main floor Conference Room

“A Study Book for Serious Students of Scripture.”

Sat, December 17

4:00 – 5:00 pm Community Family Christmas Celebration at KRC

Sun, December 18Deadline for Angel Tree gift donations.

8:30 am Early Worship Service

9:45 am Bible-based study continues

“I Am a Church Member – Discovering the Attitudes that Make the Difference”